Mindanao's Power Crisis

Mindanao has been experiencing rotating brownouts that last from 5-8 hours a day, almost everyday, for the last month or so. This has been attributed to the 'unexpectedly' low level of water at Lake Lanao and the onset of El Nino.

First of all, aren't we supposed to be in the age of technology, where ultimately the temperature of the water in the lake can be accurately measured down to the 5th decimal point? How could the scientists and technicians fail to see that the lake's water level was becoming too low to sufficiently produce enough energy for the coming months? 

Secondly, why can the local electric cooperatives in the cities work out a schedule for their brownouts while here in the province we have to accept the power outages anytime and without warning?  Is life out here different from city living?  Are appliances plugged into country households better equipped with anti-brownout protection than city ones? 

And third, may I ask what the Party List can do that hasn't already been (or tried to) done?  It seems to me that all these crises could be solved by simple means (like scheduling and if people were just in it to do their jobs right) but because we live in a Third World Country run by politicians, everything becomes 'hard' to do without a certain amount of 'slippery' money inviolved.

Who to Vote for in May 2010?

As much as possible, I try to stay out of politics.  Left and right, people are talking about who is the best candidate for President of the Philippines.  Is it Gibo, Noynoy, Manny, Dick or Erap?  Not to mention the other three relatively unknowns who are also in the race.  Of course, I have decided already but have chosen to keep quiet about it... for the reason that I am not very good at defending why I chose that person.  After all, I am not a lawyer and I cannot think of rebuttals quickly enough.

But what are the criteria in choosing the right person?  Should he have experience in legislative matters?  Should he have his own money so that he will not be tempted to steal government funds?  Should he have an ancestry that shows he is a good man?  Should he have a respected backer who can guarantee his success?  Should he have an impressive track record when it comes to turning a failure into success?

Of course, we can't have it five ways.  We have to single out the traits we like and, along with their character flaws, determine which one is most sincere.  Piece of cake, right?  Unfortunately, when you live in the Philippines, you always have to give each candidate the benefit of the doubt.  Even me, though I have made my choice, there is still that tiny possibility that I will change my mind on the actual Election Day.

So what's the verdict?  How do we choose?  My (in)expert advice:  process of ellimination.  Who is the least evil?  Hahaha!  Joke lang.

Seriously, how do we choose?  Simple.  Turn to God.  Pray for guidance.  He will turn you in the direction He knows will benefit us most.  He will point us towards the person who is closest to Him and senses His plans.  Let us not be swayed by promises that seem too good to be true, or giant pictures painted that seem too overwhelming to be achieved.  Let us think realistically.  And then, once the pointer stops turning, ask yourself, "If he wins, am I willing to help?"

God Bless the Philippines!